Current Lehighton Fire Chief Wayne Nothstein is on his way to becoming the next coordinator of Carbon County’s Emergency Management Agency.

This morning, the county commissioners unanimously appointed Nothstein to the temporary position of EMA coordinator trainee. Once his training period is over, he will succeed current EMA coordinator Carl S. Merluzzi, who held the post for the past 6-1/2 years and is retiring in September.

Nothstein was one of 13 applicants for the job, six of whom were interviewed. He is presently employed in the maintenance department of BOC Gases, Bethlehem.

The Lehighton Area High School graduate has been a member of the Lehighton Fiore Department for 25 years and has served as its chief for the past 7-1/2 years, previously being its assistant chief. He is a State Fire Academy certified instructor.